12 wacky smartphone cases

By Caitlin Schmidt, Special to CNN

Updated 11:07 AM ET, Wed July 9, 2014

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Wacky smartphone cases – Hold hands with this case by Dokkiri, which may seem a little creepy but is perhaps comforting if you're feeling lonely. Available in men's, women's and kid's-size hands, the case costs about $49 when it's not sold out.

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Wacky smartphone cases – Spraytect's pepper-spray case is currently available in a variety of colors for iPhone 4 and 4S, and will soon be offered for the newer models. Company founder Scott McPherson said he created this with his college-bound daughter's safety in mind.

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Wacky smartphone cases – Available in "crunch type" or "soda type," this "IcePhone" for iPhones is surprisingly realistic. Because who doesn't want a popsicle stuck to their phone? The crunch version looks like it's been dipped in chocolate and covered in nuts -- and belongs in your mouth instead of pressed to your ear.

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Wacky smartphone cases – Another personal-protection case, the Yellow Jacket, packs a powerful stun gun and was developed by a former military police officer. The Yellow Jacket's case delivers 650,000 volts of electricity to would-be assailants, retails for about $100 and is available for iPhone 4 and 5.

Wacky smartphone cases – With 22 different tools, TaskLab's TaskOne G3 multi-tool case is perfect for both outdoor and gadget aficionados. There's even a mount for attaching reciprocating saw blades, in case the included knife isn't enough for you.

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Wacky smartphone cases – Holga's Filter and Lens Kit features color and special-effect lenses, with no software needed. Geared to photographers, the case sells for about $25. Its dial has 9 different lenses, including one for no-effect images in case you just want a regular photo. Or you can just use Instagram.

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Wacky smartphone cases – This popular rubber bunny case is widely available online and in stores, in a variety of colors. With hundreds of brand-name and generic manufacturers, you can own one for about $3.

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Wacky smartphone cases – Smokers are likely familiar with the inconvenience of not having a lighter, or having the wind blow it out once they do find one. SuperNova's flameless lighter case uses an electric coil, so smokers don't have to worry about refilling fluids -- or hunting for a light. Price: about $35.

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Wacky smartphone cases – Designed for fun rather than functionality, this skate deck iPhone case by Candies is like having half a tiny skateboard around your phone. The wheels work, but probably aren't convenient when talking on your phone.

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Wacky smartphone cases – The world's most expensive iPhone, customized by luxury designer Stuart Hughes, is made out of 24-karat gold and encrusted with 600 flawless diamonds. For less than $17 million, the iPhone 5 Black Diamond can be yours.

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Wacky smartphone cases – The bulky and creepy isopod case has been wildly popular since it was released in Japan in April and sold out of all 1,000 that were made. The case -- which encloses your phone in what looks like a lobster tail -- is so much in demand that the manufacturer is making more for release in the fall, along with a special-edition gold model.

Story highlights

Not so long ago, a cellphone used to look like a cellphone. But these days, it's not unheard of to see someone talking on a rabbit pressed to his or her ear.

Because smartphones are expensive, and all look more or less alike, people like to protect and customize them. Which is why phone cases adorned with rubber animals, body armor, extravagant prints, fluorescent colors -- even pepper spray and stun guns -- are everywhere.

It's gotten to the point where it's uncommon to see a naked phone.

Makers of accessories have also adapted to the reality that most people have their phone with them at all times. So they've developed cases that eliminate the need for someone to keep extra items, such as mirrors or cigarette lighters, in their purses and pockets. Cases, like the phones themselves, can help streamline our lives.

The decorating options are endless. For fashion aficionados, there are cases designed by the likes of Prada and Gucci, and even gold cases studded with diamonds. An art-lover? Your phone could be embossed with reproductions of famous paintings or enclosed in a customizable metal case with interlocking pieces.

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For the child who's just been given her first phone -- and is sitting, engrossed in "Candy Crush" -- there are cases with cartoon characters and ones with extra cushioning to protect the device from falls.

Today's cases have come a long way since the early days of cellphones, when wearers tucked the devices into unattractive leather hip holsters. As mobile devices have evolved from brick phones to flip phones to smartphones, protective cases have changed to keep up.

The iPhone's release in 2007 changed cellphone history, not only because of its technology but for the wave of retooled protective cases it inspired. With colorful designs and prints, the cases were like nothing that had been available before. Apple-manufactured cases flooded stores, followed soon after by other iPhone-specific brands.

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Rival phone makers were soon forced to follow suit and develop competitive covers for their customers.

In recent years, as phones have become smarter, sleeker and indispensable, the need to accessorize them has also grown. While many people opt for protection, just as many choose to dress them up, flipping the scales and sacrificing practicality for fashion.

Here are a dozen of the coolest, and flat-out strangest, cases we could find, ranging in price from $25 to more than $10 million. Some are useful, while others seem frankly inconvenient. And one even reinterprets the phrase, "give me a hand."

Do you have an unusual case for your phone? Let us know in the comments.